4 Caught Trying to Steal Copper Wire from PGE Lot

Four Oakland men were arrested in San Rafael on Friday night after they were allegedly caught trying to steal copper wire from a PG&E yard.

Officers responded to a call from a PG&E employee reporting a possible break-in at a utility yard at 1220 Anderson Drive at about 8:30 p.m., according to San Rafael police.

A white van had been seen driving into a restricted, fenced area of the yard where copper wiring is stored.

Arriving officers located the van, which immediately drove off down Anderson Drive towards Bellam Boulevard at a high speed, police said. Multiple patrol cars responded and the van immediately pulled over.

Marshall Pease, 42, Brent Gibson, 34, Christopher Bates, 44, and Donald Furino, 52, were taken into custody without incident.

A subsequent investigation revealed that a padlocked gate at the utility yard had been cut, and bolt cutters were allegedly found in the van.

The four suspects were booked into Marin County Jail for attempted grand theft, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy.

Suspect Pease -- the van driver -- was also booked for driving on
a suspended license.